Help shape the future of Education
We work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes
Our organisation is made up of talented and committed people around Aotearoa, from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. While we work in different groups and on different things, we all strive every day to make the biggest difference we can for our students in our education system.
About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga
Full-time hours, permanent position, based in Wellington
This is a unique opportunity to lead and shape enterprise-wide portfolio, programme, and project management practices across Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | Ministry of Education.
As Manager, EPMO, you'll play a pivotal role in ensuring strategic investments, programmes and projects are identified, prioritised, governed and oversight of effective delivery to achieve meaningful outcomes for learners, whānau and communities across Aotearoa.
Working across the organisation and with agencies throughout government, you'll foster strong partnerships, champion best practice, and lead approaches that strengthen strategic planning, prioritisation, governance, benefits realisation and organisational maturity. This is a highly visible leadership role where you'll combine strategic thinking, people leadership and technical expertise to create lasting organisational impact.
You'll influence decision-making at senior levels, providing trusted advice, insights and assurance that support successful delivery of complex organisational priorities and investment decisions. Leading a small high-performing team, you will also drive the development and continuous improvement of the Ministry's portfolio, programme and project management frameworks, methodologies and foster capability development.
Salary range: $165,601 - $248,251 per annum + KiwiSaver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.
For more details about the role, you can view the job description here.
About you | Mōhou ake
You're an experienced people leader with a passion for enabling successful delivery across complex organisations. You bring a strategic mindset, exceptional stakeholder management skills and a track record of driving organisational performance through effective portfolio, programme practices. You thrive in environments where collaboration, influence and continuous improvement are critical to success, and you're motivated by the opportunity to contribute to outcomes that make a difference for New Zealanders.
You will also offer:
Expertise in portfolio management, governance, prioritisation, and investment planning
Proven success leading the development and implemention of strategic frameworks, methodologies and guiding work programmes that improve organisational delivery capability
Significant experience leading portfolio, programme, project or enterprise PMO functions within a large and complex organisation
Strong people leadership skills, with the ability to build high-performing, inclusive teams and grow capability in others
Highly developed relationship management and influencing skills, with the credibility to engage senior leaders and diverse stakeholders
Experience navigating government or complex public sector environments, with an understanding of machinery of government processes and investment requirements
A commitment to strengthening Māori-Crown relationships and contributing to equitable outcomes for Māori through authentic partnership and practice
The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.
About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake
Te Pou Rangatōpū has two key roles which operate together:
keeping the Ministry safe by delivering essential Ministry-wide statutory and corporate functions and
delivering improvements to how the Ministry works, so we can achieve our priorities and support the Ministry to deliver the current Government’s priorities.
The Enterprise Portfolio Management Office (EPMO) sits within the Governance, Planning, Reporting and Performance Group in Corporate Services. It provides leadership, oversight and assurance across the Ministry's portfolios, programmes and projects, helping ensure investment and delivery activities align with strategic priorities.
The EPMO focuses on:
Driving strategic alignment across portfolios, programmes and projects
Providing leadership for investment activities from pipeline management, through ensuring delivery confidence and to value realisation
Monitoring delivery performance and supporting effective risk management
Supporting business led PMO capability and consistency via coaching, frameworks and guidance
Through these functions, the EPMO supports informed investment decisions and the successful delivery of organisational outcomes.
It’s an exciting time to join the team, as the Corporate group is evolving how it delivers its services to meet the challenges of our changing environment and business needs across the Ministry. The team has a key role in supporting continuous improvements across the corporate functions.
Are you ready to make a difference? | Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi?
If this opportunity interests you, please submit your Resume and Cover Letter by using the ‘apply now' button. In your cover letter we’d like to know about you, your values, or anything else you’d like to share. We’re keen to understand your motivations, strengths, transferable skills, and the diverse perspectives you will bring to the role.
For further information, please contact Fiona O’Leary, General Manager, Strategy and Performance at Fiona.OLeary@education.govt.nz
Applications close 11.59pm on 19th November 2026.
We want our people to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging. If you require assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.
